LOT 75
JEHAN CHAN
B. Melaka, 1937 – 2011
House on Stilts – Blue Waterscape, 1984
Mixed media on paper
57 x 77 cm
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Signed and dated ‘84, with artist stamp at lower left corner
RM 5,000 – 12,000
A highly celebrated figure in the evolution of Malaysian watercolour and modern art, Melaka born master Jehan Chan is renowned for his innovative technique of blending traditional watercolour fluency with “cracked rice paper” collages, creating rich, mosaic like textures. His deep affection for local landscapes and coastal serenity is beautifully realized in this 1984 work ‘House On Stilts, Blue Waterscape’.
Moving away from conventional, flat landscape documentation, Chan uses a sophisticated, semi abstract approach where vibrant pigments and fluid washes merge seamlessly into the fractured patterns of his unique paper medium. In House On Stilts, he captures the rustic, timeless charm of a traditional village dwelling elevated over the water, balancing sharp architectural lines against an atmospheric, light drenched backdrop. Meanwhile, Blue Waterscape shifts the focus entirely toward the hypnotic movement of the sea, utilizing a brilliant palette of deep blues, teals, and shimmering highlights to evoke a profound sense of tranquility and depth. By combining a modern, structural texture with the gentle, poetic essence of nature, both works stand as invaluable visual archives of Malaysia’s coastal heritage and a masterclass in atmospheric harmony.